On Saturday afternoon, Oct. 22, at Bell Auditorium over 250 first-year students from the Medical College of Georgia received their official white coats to signify a ceremonial induction into medical school training.
Students loudly cheered and families applauded as each individual donned on their white coat and congratulated each other as they continue to take on this next step of life.
Prior to professors helping students put on their white coats, professors spoke of the weight working in the healthcare field can have – for those experienced, several mentioned how there are moments when the emotional weight of the white coat can sometimes feel unbearable.
Keynote speaker, graduate and president of the Medical College of Georgia Alumni Association, Anil Puri, said remembers going through medical school and feeling the insecurities all students feel when starting their training and between study sessions.
MORE: Augusta University reopens the Guard House Museum
Throughout the trials of medical school, Puri said many of them might feel extremely discouraged from time to time – especially if they are having a particularly tough time. However, he wanted to remind them all how each of them belongs in the field and they are not alone in these struggles.
With his own time in medical school, he remembered when he graduated, after enduring all those hardships, he was able to care for others in his hometown of Milledgeville, Ga., and presently enjoys having the pleasure of teaching students.
“I hope that I am lucky enough one day to both teach and learn from some of you,” said Puri. “You belong here.”
Speaker and Class of 2023 president, Idris Ali Amghaiab, followed with a speech about the white coat not only represents one’s journey onward through learning and hardships, but also the weight of new expectations when working in healthcare.
Along with symbolizing one’s accomplishments of getting accepted into medical school after countless hours of studying and many sleepless nights, the white coat serves as a reminder to wearers of their newfound community and friends among colleagues, who must work together as a team for the betterment of all patients.
Although many of the new students may come from very different backgrounds such as military experience to raising a family, Amghaiab said the white coat unites them all in a common mission to help those in need. All are individuals who come from various walks of life whose experiences have guided them down this common path, he said.
MORE: Augusta University students participate in Georgia Cyber Center soldering workshop
“For the next four years, you will embark on a tour of humanity,” he said. “You will witness miracles and meet folks from all walks of life. All the while, encountering incredible pathology and experiencing the beauty of the resilience of the human body.”
From his own experience, Amghaiab said the coat will accompany each student and will eventually become painted with wisdom from different experiences; it will hold the memory of patients’ tears that fell on their shoulders to the results of a cancer diagnosis held in a pocket.
Overall, he especially wants students to remember not to lose themselves in pursuing a difficult career; while he is all for good studying habits, he emphasizes to the first-year students the dangers of burnout and depression when one does not take the time to make memorable connections and pleasant memories.
“Thank your family, friends and loved ones who supported you along this way,” he said. “It is just as much their day as it is yours and keep them close, because when the white coat becomes heavy, they’ll ease its burden on you.”
Through the tough exams and further hours of studying ahead, Amghaiab said students must not forget the hard work they invested in getting to the point they are at.
He said each has to remember not to take the privilege of medical school for granted; wear the white with pride as it displays to others the future of medicine.
MORE: Augusta University awards record number of degrees in recent fiscal year
To avoid students’ disengagement overtime, Amghaiab said they have to spend time reflecting on the lessons learned, the unique stories and the opportunities given will shape the path of endurance for students.
“A mentor of mine told me, ‘don’t lose yourself in this,’ … when you don your white coats and take them with you, don’t forget who you are or lose sight of what’s important to you,” he said. “Our patients know we are smart … what they care about is that the person in the white coats cares for and will listen to them.”
The ceremony ended with a performance from the college’s acapella choir, the Serotonins, and all first-year students pledging an oath to help others with compassion, dedication and ever-growing knowledge even in the face of adversity.
Afterwards, new student Jinny Heo, who is the first-generation pursuing medicine in her family, said she was experiencing a mix of nervousness and excitement as she embarked on this new phase of her life.
“I know I’m about to handle a lot more responsibilities, but I think I have been preparing my entire life for this opportunity,” she said. “So, it’s really an honor, and I can’t wait for the next four years.”
When she was younger, Heo said she used to face intense anxiety and stress over school prior to her acceptance into the medical college, however, as long as she did what was right and trusted her gut everything worked out in the end.
Heo said she is most excited for patient interactions and hitting milestones with them while she pursues her passion in improving others’ lives.
MORE: Augusta University officials clarify changes to degree programs
Mother of a first-year student, Jennie Williams, said when she found out her son was accepted into medical school her family shared a tearful moment as she knew how hard he had worked for his white coat.
“It was a very humbling experience,” she said about her only child.
Outside the auditorium, while families and friends took pictures, hugged, gifted bouquets and exchanged congratulations, it was clear to see why Amghaiab called the ceremony a “Facebook Profile Pic Symposium” among all the happiness and bittersweet moments.
As Jennifer Tucker, Interim Associate Dean for Learner Affairs at the Medical College of Georgia, said, for many this ceremony served as only the beginning to a great adventure for the Class of 2026.
Liz Wright is a staff writer covering education and general assignments for The Augusta Press. Reach her at liz@theaugustapress.com
